Portalis Capital signs food safety MoU in Saudi Arabia with Natural Phage technology
Agreement focuses on raising Salmonella safety standards in poultry
SAUDI ARABIA – Portalis Capital Investments LLC is entering into a memorandum of understanding with Saudi Arabia’s National Livestock and Fisheries Development Program (NLFDP), Tanmiah Food Company, and Dutch biotechnology firm Micreos Food Safety.
The deal, signed at the GreenTech Amsterdam exhibition at the RAI Convention Centre, introduces Phageguard’s bacteriophage technology to improve Salmonella control in poultry production.
According to the parties involved, the agreement is the first of its kind in the Kingdom, creating a public-private collaboration aimed at advancing regulatory approval, technology transfer, and private-sector uptake.
Tanmiah Food Company will conduct pilot testing of Phageguard S in cooperation with the NLFDP before the companies consider a potential long-term supply arrangement.
Officials said the program is also expected to contribute to local employment and support knowledge-sharing on food safety technologies.
Dr. Sulaiman M. Alajel, who heads the biotechnology sector at the NLFDP, described the partnership as a step toward integrating science-based solutions in Saudi Arabia’s food sector.
He added that the collaboration aligns with efforts to address antimicrobial resistance while positioning the Kingdom to shape global practices in food safety.
Marcos Delorenzo, chief executive of Agriculture Development Company, Tanmiah’s fresh poultry unit, said the initiative will allow the company to strengthen product safety while advancing its long-term role in food security under Vision 2030.
Pieter de Maaker, partnership lead at Portalis Capital, said the MoU reflects a shared commitment to building sustainable food systems through cross-border cooperation.
Background of the partners
The NLFDP operates under the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture and supports the adoption of new technologies in livestock and fisheries to meet Saudi Vision 2030 objectives.
Portalis Capital, based in the UAE, invests in health, sustainability, and technology ventures and works with international partners to expand market access for new innovations.
Micreos Food Safety, which markets its phage products under the Phageguard brand, develops targeted solutions against foodborne pathogens including Salmonella and Listeria.
Tanmiah Food Company, established in 1962 and listed on the Saudi Stock Exchange, supplies poultry and animal feed products across Saudi Arabia and several other Middle Eastern markets.
The parties said that if the pilot stage in Saudi Arabia is successful, broader implementation of the bacteriophage technology could follow.
Be the first to leave a comment